New Jersey Governor Chris Christie vetoed today a bill that would have made it easier for transgender residents to obtain an amended birth certificate. The legislation, which passed the state legislature last year, simply would have allowed transgender residents to change the gender marker on their birth certificate by providing an affidavit from a licensed medical professional showing they had undergone medically appropriate treatment.

HRC President Chad Griffin released the following statement:

"Chris Christie has a responsibility to look out for the well-being of all New Jerseyans, but today he chose instead to keep in place burdensome regulations for transgender people living in his state. This legislation would have made it easier for transgender residents to amend their birth certificate – a basic form of identification that is required for many other documents and that speaks to our core identity and humanity. Governor Christie is letting down transgender New Jerseyans and showing that their well-being is of no concern to him. We call on the legislature to again pass this legislation and shine a spotlight on how harmful this veto is to the citizens of his state."

Take action to show your support for the LGBT community. Share the graphic below now.